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Groceries for 2,400 families given away, April 11: Cars lined up along Houston Street, State Highway 19 and Main Street, as Bob Evans Farm held a free grocery drive-thru for families in need Friday at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. File photo by Todd Kleiboer -
Christmas Parade, Dec. 9: Last year’s annual Lighted Christmas Parade, hosted by the Sulphur Springs Lions Club, was a little different as cars drove past stationary floats in a “drive-thru style.” Above, Santa Claus himself waves to the cars passing by. File photo by Todd Kleiboer
Ask anyone - 2020 was definitely an unforgettable year, filled with ups and (well, mostly) downs.
Here are just some of those events that made headlines in the Sulphur Springs News-Telegram last year:
JANUARY
• Jan. 23
MLK social justice awards, special recognition celebration held
The 30th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration and social justice awards presentations brought in a large crowd, filling Morning Chapel Missionary Baptist Church to capacity.
FEBRUARY
• Feb. 4
2 dead of gunshot injuries at TAMUC
Two people are dead and one hospitalized from gunshot injuries after an incident at one of the Texas A&M University-Commerce residence halls.
• Feb. 11
District Champs
The Saltillo Lady Lions finished their regular season Friday night with a 58-30 win on the road against Sulphur Bluff, finishing their season as district champions.
MARCH
• March 13
SSISD extends spring break
Sulphur Springs ISD announced that they would be extending their spring break for another week as a precaution in light of the coronavirus.
• March 21
City offices close
City manager Marc Maxwell announced that city offices had closed to the public in order to follow social distancing protocols. Water bill disconnections were put on hold, and drivers' license renewals, vehicle inspections/stickers and handicap placards were put on a 60-day grace period. Hopkins County confirms first COVID-19 case
Hopkins County Emergency Management confirmed the first case of COVID-19. The patient received treatment and was told to self-isolate.
APRIL
• April 4
County issues safe-at-home order
A safe-at-home order was issued for Hopkins County in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and disaster declaration, urging citizens to only go into public spaces for essential needs.
• April 4
Local disaster declaration extended
Hopkins County Commissioners Court unanimously agreed to extend the local disaster declaration to April 30.
• April 15
4 charged with capital murder
Four people, Charli Sierra Wadley Hodges, 24, Maximino Manuel Ibarra, 29, German Manuel Ibarra, 31 and Jesus Antonio Hernandez, 40, were arrested in relation to the murder of Luis Martin Medina.
MAY
• May 9
Oscar Aguilar sworn in
Businessman and local rodeo committee president Oscar Aguilar was appointed to the Sulphur Springs City Council Place 3.
• May 13
SSISD elects board officers
The Sulphur Springs ISD board elected new officers: Robert Cody as president, Craig Roberts as vice-president and Jason Dietze as secretary. Incumbent trustees Cody and Robbin Vaughn were sworn in for three-year terms.
• May 20
Gov. Abbott continues to re-open state
Gov. Greg Abbott announced at a press conference that he would continue the process of reopening the state with his Phase II plan, including the opening of childcare centers, youth sports and restaurants and bars at 50% capacity.
• May 23
Maynard steps into new role
Jerry Maynard was selected as the new parks and recreation director for the city of Sulphur Springs.
JUNE
• June 3
Peaceful protest on downtown square
Demonstrators began 11 a.m. Saturday morning after seeing an announcement on Snapchat. The invitation stated that there would be a peaceful protest on the square in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
• June 10
200 gather at Pacific Park
A crowd of approximately 200 gathered on Saturday at Pacific Park to protest the killing of George Floyd.
JULY
• July 1
Independence Day celebration cancelled
Mayor John Sellers decided to cancel the Independence Day celebration as a precaution to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
• July 8
Hopkins County under mask mandate
Hopkins County believed they could have been exempt from the statewide masking mandate, according to County Judge Robert Newsom, but was ultimately denied.
AUGUST
• Aug. 15
New Como mayor suspends police
Como city council members emerged from an executive session at Tuesday evening’s regular meeting to immediately take a vote on the indefinite suspension of Como’s police department. The vote was unanimous.
SEPTEMBER
• Sept. 16
Hay bales return for 3rd year
Hopkins County Fall Festival’s popular event is back: decorated hay bales are about to take over the landscape for the third year in a row.
OCTOBER
• Oct. 31
Hopkins eyes turnout record
Having broken early voting records of all time at the first of the week, Hopkins closed out early voting Friday with an eye on breaking total voter turnout records in the history of the county’s existence, according to the county clerk and the Texas Secretary of State.
NOVEMBER
• Nov. 7
Cumby, Sulphur Springs elect new council members
Hopkins County's voting got off to a stalled start on Nov. 3, as voters in rural locations reported that when polls opened at 8 a.m., electronic machines were not able to accept their ballots. However, by 9 a.m. all voting locations were online and accepting votes, according to the county clerk’s office. Election results included Har old Nash, Oscar Aguilar and Gary Spraggins for Sulphur Springs City Council, Sheryl Lackey and Amber Hardy for Cumby City Council and Doug Simmerman as Cumby mayor.
• Nov.21
Wildcat band advances to area
The Sulphur Springs Wildcat band wowed the audience and UIL judges to earn all first division ratings for their performance of 'Paris Sketches' during the regional UIL marching band competition held at Gerald Prim Stadium.
DECEMBER
• Dec. 12
One sentenced for April murder
German Ibarra, 31, one of the four people charged in the murder of Luis Martin Medina in April, plead guilty on Dec. 7, according to a release from the 8th District Court.
• Dec. 19
Julian takes Sulphur Springs Place 1
After two rounds of elections and one postponement, Jay Julian has emerged as the council member for Sulphur Springs city council Place 1.